Corset.



No. 897,480. V PATENTED SEPT. 1, 190 s. c. L. OLMSTEAD.

CORSET.

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UNITED STATES PATENT oEEio.

CHAUNCEY L. OLMSTEAD, OF WEST BROOKFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO OLMSTEAD QUABOAG CORSET COMPANY, OF WEST BROOKFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS,

A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

CORSET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1, 1908.

Application filed December 21, 1907. Serial No. 407,501.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHAUNoEY L. OLM- STEAD, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vest Brookfield, WVorcester county, Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corsets, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in corsets and like apparel.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved structure whereby the spine of the wearer is relieved from all strain and the harmful influence of pressure occasioned by stays and the like. Furthermore, by my construction the spine is protected by a suitable covering at all times. In the-ordinary corset the usual lacing is located directly over the spine and the said reinforcements effect an injurious pressure thereon. Beyond this, the space between the lacings expose the spine to drafts, to which exposure much illness may be attributed. By my invention these weaknesses are avoided and a superior structure provided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means whereby the corset is capable of a greater range of adjustment, whereby it may be fitted readily to widely divergent figures. Whereas the ordinary corset is modeled with a particular view to fitting the normal figure, when applied to other figures,

in which the waist line or the bust line is abnormal, a corset of so-called normal proportions cannot be readily fitted. In this respect my improved corset likewise furnishes a substantial improvement over the prior art.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the corset taken from the rear, the center of the back being slightly to one side Fig. 2 is a relatively enlarged view of the back portion thereof, the lacing being removed, the sides and front being broken away.

I have shown in the drawings the preferred form of the invention, in which 1, 2 and 3 represent three diflerent parts or sections. The sections 1 and 2 are what I may term the side sections, while the section 3 is an intermediate section arranged to lie directly over the spine, covering and protecting the same at all times. The usual lacings 4 and 5 are provided. These lacings run through eyeleted edges of the aforesaid sections 1, 2 and 3. The sections 1 and 2 are preferably provided along their rear edges with flaps 6 and 7, which cover any space between the adjacent edges of the side sections and the intermediate section, protecting the wearer from drafts and from a consciousness of the presence of lacings at the rear. The stay supports are provided along the eyeleted edges of the parts 1 and 2, and since these parts are on each side and well away from the spine, the support of the corset is taken away from the spine and transferred to two points over the loins. The intermediate member 3 is flexible, but should it be desired to lightly reinforce the same, suitable reinforcements may be provided in relatively short pockets 8 and 9, which may terminate short of the upper and lower ends of the intermediate member 3. By this arrangement, all injurious pressures upon the spine, or the immediate region of the spine, are avoided.

Superior results are attained by making the middle section 3 narrower at a point close to the waist line, so as to give a flaring effect toward the upper and lower extremities. By this arrangement also the waist is more firmly supported, While greater flexibility is afforded the upper and lower edges, where flexibility is desired. By this arrangement the body may be swayed from side to side without any undue pressure on the same, or undue strain upon the lacings. may be of the ordinary, non-elastic type or, should occasion require or make it desirable, elastic lacings may be substituted to great advantage.

By providing two lines of division at the back a much greater range of adjustment is afforded than where a single line of division only is provided. As a result the corset has a more universal adaptability to abnormal conditions than corsets provided with only one line of lacings, for example, in some figures the hip line or the bust line may pre dominate to such an extent as to be considered abnormal. To such figures this improvement is of a special benefit, because a corset may be readily fitted thereto without any unsightly or objectionable gap. again, as a result, a vender of such articles may carry a more'limited stock and still be equipped to fit as wide a range of figures as though his stock contained, for example,

Here

The lacings double the number of sizes which he would lower ends, said back member being of less be obliged to carry of the present type.

The front of the corset may, of course, be of the ordinary construction provided with the usual fastening devices, the same requiring no illustration. The edges of the side members 1 and 2 are preferably curved forwardly (as best seen in Fig. 2) to correspond generally to the curves of the side edges of the intermediate member 3.

What I claim is:

In a corset or similar article, two inde pendent side members, a single intermediate back member dependently connected to said side members and having free upper and width at an intermediate point than at the ends, flexible reinforcements for said inter mediate member extending lengthwise there of but terminating short of the upper and lower ends, a projecting flap carried by each side member extending toward said intermediate member, and lacings overlying said flaps and adjustably connecting said side members with said intermediate member.

CHAUNCEY L. OLMSTEAD.

Witnesses:

JOHN G. sl-IAOKLEY, ROBERT T. ALLIs. 

